Cleansing Bed Bath

Definition:
A bath given to weak and bedridden clients.

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Purposes:
To cleanse the body
To refresh the client
To stimulate circulation
To exercise muscles and joints
To provide tactile stimulation
To promote comfort and relaxation
To improve self-concept
To facilitate head-to-toe assessment.

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General Instructions:
Ensure privacy.
Bed bath should be given one hour before meals or one hour after meals.
Always have everything ready before giving the bath.
If the client is quite weak all assistance should be given to free the client from exertion.
Children should never be left alone while bath is going on.
Unnecessary exposure of chilling must be avoided.

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Special attention must be given to regions behind ears, axillae, umbilicus, the pubis, groins,
spaces between fingers and toes and areas where two skin surfaces come in contact.
During the bath, the client must be observed for objective signs such as rashes, swelling,
discoloration, pressure sores, discharges, abrasions, lice, burns, etc. The findings should be
recorded in the nurse’s notes and reported to the physician if they seem important
All treatments such as enema, douches or preparation for fields of operation should be done
before the bath so that the client will remain clean and undisturbed afterwards.
The nurse may usually work quickly but it should be in a quiet soothing and unhurried fashion.
Strokes should be smooth and firm and ends of the wash cloth should not be allowed to dangle.

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Materials and Equipment Needed:
Bath blanket or large towel
Bath towels (4)
Washcloths (3)
Clients clothing as called for
Linen as called for

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Tray containing the following:
◦ Wash basin half filled with water or water temperature as preferred by client
◦ Soap in a soap dish
◦ Client’s comb/hair brush
◦ Talcum powder/lotion/oil
◦ A pair of nail cutter if necessary
◦ Two pitchers (one with cold and the other one with hot water)
◦ Paper for lining
◦ Bath thermometer

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Pail for used water
Bedpan or urinal
Laundry bag
Working gloves (2 pairs)

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1.Review’s client’s chart.

2.Identifies, explains, and assess the client.

3.Wash hands and brings the necessary equipment.

4.Provides privacy.

5.Don gloves.

6.Offers the bedpan or urinal.

7.Changes working gloves.

8.Raises the bed to a convenient working height.

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9.Assists the client to the side of the bed.

10.Places the bath blanket over the client.

11.Assists in oral hygiene (or may be performed after the bath is through)

12.Removes the client’s gown.

13.Fills the basin with sufficient warm water (43-46 degrees Celsius.

14.Checks water temperature.

15.Places the towels appropriately.

16.Makes a mitt and washes the farther eye.

17.Turns the mitt and washes the other eye.

18.Asks the client’s preferences whether to use soap on the face.

19.Washes and dries the face, neck, and ears.

20.Exposes the client’s far arm and places the towel lengthwise under it.

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21.Soaps, rinses and dries and covers the arm and axilla.
22.Soaps, rinses and dries the hand.
23.Changes the water as often as necessary.
24.Does the same to the nearer arm.
25.Spreads the towel across the client’s chest while lowering the blanket to the umbilical area.
26.Soaps, rinses, and dries the client’s abdomen and the umbilical area.
27.Soaps, rinses, and dries the client’s abdomen and the umbilical area.
28.Soaps, rinses, and dries the client’s farther leg.
29.Does the same to the near leg.
30.Washes and dries the feet one at a time.
31.Changes wash cloth and bath towel.
32.Refills the basin with clean water.
33.Assists or does the perineal care for the client.
34.Discards wash cloth.
35.Assists the client to his side or prone position.

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36.Lays the towel correctly on bed.
37.Soaps, rinses, and dries the back and buttocks.
38.Removes gloves correctly.
39.Does the back rub correctly.
40.Helps the client to put on a new gown.
41.Combs the hair properly.
42.Removes towel from under client’s head.
43.Assists the client in trimming or cleaning the finger nails and the nails if necessary.
44.Changes the bed linen following the procedure of making an occupied bed.
45.Does the after care of the equipment.
46.Washes hands.
47.Documents all the observations on the nurse’s notes.
48.Reports to the nurse on duty or attending physician for any pertinent observations.
49.Maintains body mechanics.
50.Manifests neatness in the performed procedure.

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51.Provides client’s privacy throughout the procedure.

52.Receptive to criticisms.

53.Observes courtesy.

54.Shows calmness while performing the procedure.

55.Uses correct English

56.Shows mastery of the procedure.

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